14 DAY TRIAL // Parallels has released a new version of its popular desktop software, this time with support for Windows 11, the new operating system that Microsoft is projected to launch later this year.
Parallels Desktop 17 is therefore ready for Windows 11, while at the same time offering support for macOS Monterey operating system.
Monterey is supported as a host and guest operating system, with Parallels explaining that it focuses specifically on improvements that are available not only on Apple Silicon, but also on Intel-powered computers.
On supported Mac computers, Parallels 17 offers up to 38 percent faster Windows, Linux, and macOS resume, while the OpenGL graphics engine is now some 6 times faster. If you use an Apple Silicon device, then Windows 10 on ARM should start 33 percent faster, while the DirectX graphics performance has been improved by as much as 28 percent.
M1 performance optimizations
In addition, the new version comes with several notable improvements for the M1 chip.
“With Parallels Desktop 17, Windows 10 recognizes Mac battery status and enables battery saving when your Mac runs low of charge. The new virtual TPM chip enables Windows 10 and Windows 11 to use BitLocker and Secure Boot for the higher level of data protection. Enjoy multichannel sound support and jack presence detection with native drivers in Linux VMs. Conveniently use a Linux virtual machine in a windowed view mode with dynamic resolution support—resize the VM window and Linux will refresh the display for the new resolution automatically,” Parallels explains.
USB 3.1 is now supported as well, and so is a feature that allows users to drag and drop content between Windows and Mac.
Parallels Desktop 17 for Mac is available for $49.99 when the upgrade is made using a perpetual license, while a new license costs $99.99, with the same price announces for the subscription-based version too.